Quick Start
User Manual > Quick Start > Power On Your Totem(s)
1. Power On Your Totem(s)
- Power On: click Power Button once
- Power Off: press and hold Power Button
User Manual > Quick Start > Update Your Totem(s)
2. Update Your Totem(s)
We consistently release free Software Updates to ensure optimal Totem performance for all customers.
Please take five minutes to update your Totems by downloading the Totem Compass App and following the update instructions. Once complete, you can use the app to update using your home network moving forward!
If you received your Totems before July 2025, you may need to use the HotSpot Method in order to enable Bluetooth before the app can be used. It takes about five minutes, and once done you can use the app for everything moving forward!
Note: Remember to update your Totem before each event to ensure your Totem is running the latest software.
User Manual > Quick Start > Bond Your Totems
3. Bond Your Totems
If you have 2 Totems:
- Hold two Totems together in Compass Mode.
- Press and hold both Touch Crystals simultaneously.
- Your Bond light will be collected in the Touch Crystal until Step 5.
Note: Your Totem Compass will always remember Bonds unless you remove them.
Recommended: Bond 3+ Totems with Smart Groups
1. Place all your Totem Compasses close together (within a few inches).
2. On one Totem, press and hold the Touch Crystal for 8 seconds, until the ring of light flashes through a bunch of colors quickly.
3. Then, press and hold the Touch Crystal on each of the other Totems until you see the same flashing colors.
4. Once all Totems are flashing, press and hold the first Totem again. All the colors will suddenly lock in place—that means your group is Bonded. Your Touch Crystal color now matches the Bond colors on your friends’ Totems.
Note: your Bonds will be collected in the Touch Crystal until you step away from them!
User Manual > Quick Start > Connect to Satellites
4. Connect to Satellites
If your Totems have not already established a satellite connection while Bonding, please follow the below steps:
- Go outside and make sure you have a clear view of the sky overhead with horizon in view
- Move away from roofs, walls, and other large metal structures
- Wait 15-30 minutes for Totem Compass to establish Satellite Connection
- Once you see no swirling animation, you're ready to Navigate!
*Tails will grow longer as Totems connect to more satellites. The tails will disappear once a satellite connection has been established.
Note: Once you get a connection, subsequent uses in the same area will be much quicker!
User Manual > Quick Start > Establish Distance
5. Establish Distance
1. Move away from your Bonded peers, and you'll see their lights jump out of the Touch Crystal and into your Halo.
2. About 30 steps is sufficient to begin navigating!
User Manual > Quick Start > Navigate
6. Navigate
1. Hold Totem in Compass Mode (flat in your palm) and spin until you see a bright, white flash.
You must repeat this every time you navigate to ensure your bearings are accurate.
2. Follow the direction of the Bond Light on your Halo.
3. As you approach Bonded peer, their Bond Light will get incrementally larger.
4. Peer light collects into the Touch Crystal at close-range. Time to look for your friends!
Totem Modes & Settings
User Manual > Totem Modes & Settings > Vibe Mode
Vibe Mode (Vertical Orientation)
Available Features
- Vibe
- Send SOS Alerts
- Receive SOS Alerts
- Adjust Brightness
User Manual > Totem Modes & Settings > Compass Mode
Compass Mode (Horizontal Orientation)
Available Features
- Bonding
- Navigation
- Send SOS Alerts
- Receive SOS Alerts
- Bond Removal
- Adjust Brightness
- Change Crystal Color
User Manual > Totem Modes & Settings > Low Power Mode
Low Power Mode
Important!
When your Totem is under 25% battery level, it will begin pulsing Red, as shown in the GIF.
Your Totem can still be used to Navigate and be located by your Bonded peers, but the Touch Crystal is disabled while in Low Power Mode.
Be sure to charge your Totem ASAP if you see this indicator! A portable battery like the Power Pal will charge it in less than 45 minutes.
User Manual > Totem Modes & Settings > SOS Alerts
SOS Alerts
- Send SOS Alert: Press and hold SOS Button; button will begin blinking red
- Disable SOS Alert: Press and hold SOS Button until red light stops blinking
- Receiving SOS Alert: Touch Cyrstal blinks "SOS" in morse code while vertical, SOSing Bond Light blinks rapidly while in Compass Mode
Send SOS
Send SOS
Disable SOS
Disable SOS
Receiving SOS
Receiving SOS
User Manual > Totem Modes & Settings > Add/Remove Bonds
Add/Remove Bonds
- Triple-tap Touch Crystal while Totem is in Compass Mode (horizontal)
- Single-tap Touch Crystal to cycle between Bonded peers
- Press and hold Touch Crystal to remove selected Bond
Note: When you remove a Bond, they can no longer track you.
User Manual > Totem Modes & Settings > Brightness Settings
Brightness Settings
Your Totem has 3 brightness settings that impact battery life:
- Day Vibe (up to 8 hours)
- Night Vibe (up to 10 hours)
- Eco Vibe (up to 22 hours)
To cycle between brightness settings, click the Power Button once while your Totem is powered on.
Bright Vibe
(up to 8 hours)
Bright Vibe
(up to 8 hours)
Dim Vibe
(up to 10 hours)
Dim Vibe
(up to 10 hours)
Eco Vibe
(up to 22 hours)
Eco Vibe
(up to 22 hours)
User Manual > Totem Modes & Settings > Touch Crystal Colors
Touch Crystal Colors
Note: When using Smart Groups, this feature is not available.
To change your Touch Crystal color:
- Tilt your Totem Compass into Compass Mode (horizontal orientation).
- Single-tap Touch Crystal to change color.
- Continue tapping Touch Crystal to cycle through 12 different colors.
Animations Guide
User Manual > Animations Guide > Animations Guide
Totems speak in a language of only light and color.
If your device is ever doing something you're unfamiliar with, you can reference our helpful Animations Guide!
Totem Compass App
User Manual > Totem Compass App > Download Now
Download Now
Connect directly to your Totem Compass via Bluetooth to manage your Bonds, view real-time maps, access event features/activations, and update software easily—no account creation, login, or internet required.*
*Internet connection required to download the App, as well as pre-download Software Updates and Event Maps.
User Manual > Totem Compass App > Bond Management
Bond Management
1. Tap on the Bonds tab at the bottom of the Totem Compass App.
2. Re-color and re-name all of your Bonds, show/hide them on your Compass, and check their distance!
3. If you see the symbol below, it means you're benefitting from Limitless Range and their location is being pulled from the cloud:
User Manual > Totem Compass App > Live Map View
Real-Time Maps
1. Tap on the Map tab at the bottom of the Totem Compass App.
2. See you AND your Bonds' live locations on the map at any time. Press the upper right button to reposition to your location.
3. Press and hold on the map to save a Custom Waypoint as one of your Bonds, so you can always Compass back to it later.
4. Tap the upper left button to access Interactive Event Maps.
User Manual > Totem Compass App > Interactive Event Maps
Interactive Event Maps
1. Select and download Interactive Event Maps for specific festivals and events.
2. Once downloaded, your maps are available for use fully offline, even when cell service is no longer available.
3. Tap on any Waypoint to set it as a Bond and Compass to it. Waypoint Bonds will appear on your Compass as a quick flashing light.
4. If there are any additional events you think should be supported, let us know!
User Manual > Totem Compass App > Software Updates
Software Updates
1. The Totem Compass App will automatically detect if any new Software Updates are available, and notify you to download them on the Home Screen.
2. Save Software Updates to your phone, then transfer the updates to Totems via Bluetooth without internet needed.
3. This allows everyone to help out their fellow Totem Tribe out in the wild by having the latest updates on-hand!
Tech Specs
User Manual > Tech Specs > Product Details
Product Details
Model: Totem Compass Gen 1
Power Adapter Charging Voltage: 5V
Max Charging Current: 1A
Battery Type: LiPo ion
Battery Capacity: 1000 mAh
Wireless Frequency/Protocol: 2.4GHz
Charging Port: USB type C
Operating Temperature: -10°-60°C / 14°-140°F
Housing Material: MABS
Size: 58x58x24 mm/ 2.28x2.28x0.95 in
Weight: 54.17g/0.119lb
Safety Features: Over-voltage and under-voltage protection to ensure safe operation within the specified voltage range. Thermal shutdown prevents the device from overheating during high-stress conditions, and the design includes safeguards to prevent damage from short circuits.
Lanyard Material: 100% polyester braided around a core of 10 natural latex threads
Lanyard Relaxed Size: 360 x 2.5 mm
Lanyard Stretched Size: 620 x 2.5 mm
USB-C Cable Type: Type A to C
USB-C Max Input: Max 2A
User Manual > Tech Specs > Battery Life and Range
Battery and Charging
Maximum Battery Playtime*
- Day Vibe: ~8 hours
- Night Vibe: ~10 hours
- Eco Vibe: 22+ hours
*Battery Playtime may vary based on environmental conditions and usage. Battery Life is subject to ongoing improvement through new Software Updates.
Charging Time
- Charges in ~45 minutes via standard USB-C
- Charging Light turns green on full charge
User Manual > Tech Specs > Range & Conditions for Use
Range & Conditions for Use
Range
- Peer-to-Peer max range: ~1000 meters
- Unity Mesh NetworkTM automatically extends range for all Totems within range of the network
Conditions for Use
- Use the device outdoors in open areas with a clear view of the horizon to maintain a reliable Satellite Connection
- Keep the device at least one foot away from smart phones, iron-based objects or heavy metal structures, as these can interfere with accuracy and satellite connection
- Protect from shock or hard impact
- Do not modify or disassemble
- Do not expose to open flames, submerge in water, or use underwater
Performance Variables
- Environmental Obstructions: Physical obstructions such as dense foliage, tall buildings, or mountainous terrain can cause signal reflection or blockage, leading to multi-path errors and decreased positional accuracy.
- Atmospheric Conditions: Variations in the Earth’s ionosphere, particularly during solar flares and geomagnetic storms, can disrupt GNSS signals.
- Solar Activity: Elevated solar activity can induce scintillation events in the ionosphere, degrading the quality of satellite signals. In standard GNSS receivers, mild scintillation can reduce position accuracy by several meters, while severe scintillation can cause signal loss.
- Weather Conditions: Adverse weather can have minor effects on the strength and quality of GNSS signals, potentially impacting the device’s performance.
- Electromagnetic Interference: Proximity to strong electromagnetic sources or environments with high radio frequency interference can disrupt GNSS signal reception, leading to potential inaccuracies.
User Manual > Tech Specs > Care and Maintenance
Care and Maintenance
Handling & Storage
- Handle with care and store in a soft pouch or case when not in use
- Avoid placing the device in pockets or bags with sharp objects
Water Resistance
- The Totem Compass can withstand rain and splashes of water, but should not be submerged in water
- Dry immediately if exposed to moisture
Charging
- Ensure the charging port is free of dirt or moisture before connecting
Cleaning
- Fingerprints and smudges may appear on the surface. Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe the device
- For deeper cleaning, use a slightly damp cloth with water or mild soap. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive materials
Environmental Care
- Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures may affect battery performance and device longevity
- Keep the device away from excessive dust, sand, or debris, especially in outdoor environments
Support
User Manual > Support > Warranty Information
Warranty Information
Your limited warranty starts on the date of your purchase and lasts for one year (365 days). The Warranty Period is not extended if we repair or replace a warranted product. We may change the availability of this limited warranty at our discretion, but any changes will not be retroactive.
This limited warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship in products purchased from the Website. For more information, please visit our Terms of Sale.
User Manual > Support > Return Policy
Return Policy
Except for any products designated on the Website as non-returnable, we will accept a return of undamaged products for a refund of your purchase price, less the original shipping and handling costs, provided such return is made within sixty (60) days of delivery* and provided such products are returned in their original condition and packaging. For more information, please visit our Terms of Sale.
*Return window subject to extend based on reason for return
Legal & Compliance
User Manual > Legal & Compliance > Terms of Service
Terms of Service
Read Totem's full Terms of Use and Terms of Sale here.
User Manual > Legal & Compliance > Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Totem respects your privacy and is committed to protecting it. Totem gathers anonymous data from devices that is used to improve its products and the events it supports. Read Totem's full Privacy Policy here.
User Manual > Legal & Compliance > FCC Compliance
FCC
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1)This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Totem could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.
FCC ID: 2BMQS-1
